Cost of Living in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Lancaster County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Lancaster County ranks #2,747 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 13%)
Sourced county brief
Lancaster County Median Home Value Estimated at $301,100
The median home value in Lancaster County was estimated at $301,100, which is $89,021 higher than the Pennsylvania unweighted county mean of $212,079. Median gross rent in the county was $1,357 per month, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $991. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 28.5%, a figure 0.8 percentage points above the state unweighted county mean official GRAPI of 27.7%. For owner-occupied units, the median selected monthly owner cost was $1,333, while the state unweighted county mean was $1,010. Renter-household median income was reported at $58,477. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Lancaster County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.5% of renter household income in Lancaster County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,357 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,333. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $54,280 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Pennsylvania unweighted mean of county median rents is $991 per month. Lancaster County's $1,357 median is 37.0% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Lancaster County
Rent Burden
18.7%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,029
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.4%
of gross income
The median home in Lancaster County may be a stretch
Median home value is $301,100. Estimated monthly cost: $2,404 vs. your max of $2,029.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania?
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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